Defender Callum Cockerill-Mollett is targeting a return to winning ways on Tuesday night as the Saddlers welcome League One side Oxford United to the Banks’s Stadium knowing that a win would send them through to the next stage of the Papa Johns Trophy.
Darrell Clarke’s side have drawn both of their previous games in the competition this season, going on to beat Bristol Rovers on penalties but eventually losing to Chelsea Under 21s in a penalty shootout, meaning they have three points on the board.
The 21-year-old made a return to the team in Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Bristol Rovers coming on as a second half substitute and he is now hoping that that result can be put right with a win against Oxford.
"We've got to go for the win on Tuesday night,” said Cockerill-Mollett.
"It's good for the club because we get prize money if we go through. In these coronavirus times it would be nice to get a bonus by getting through.
"We know Oxford are going to be a good team, they're higher opposition again for us.
"We have to show them respect but not as much respect as we did against Bristol Rovers in the first half.
"We have to get in their face, get the ball back early and hopefully start well.
"We know what they're about and what they've got, we experienced it last year in the FA Cup.
"They were very good when we played against them but we're at home again so we need to start brightly.
"We can't keep giving teams a head start.”
Walsall will be hoping to reach the knockout stages of the Papa John’s Trophy when they take on Oxford tomorrow night where a victory will guarantee passage to the next round.
You can watch the game live by purchasing an iFollow pass for £10 here.